5 Best Colleges and Universities Near Gainesville, FL

Florida is a state that strives to provide the most useful, affordable higher education possible to its residents.

To do this, Florida has removed many common barriers that students face; cost and distance being the most significant.

That's why there are so many colleges near Gainesville, Florida for students to attend without having to move or make an overly long commute. Let's learn about 10 of them today.

Featured Colleges Near Gainesville, FL

Here are some great colleges near Gainesville, Florida where students can pursue their education.

1. The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida that's a senior member of the State University System of Florida.

It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

UF has smaller class sizes than average to help students get the personal attention they need to succeed in their classes as they pursue degrees in subjects like accounting, anthropology, biology, computer engineering, graphic design, health science, and more.

2. Santa Fe College

Santa Fe College (SFC) is a public college in Gainesville, Florida that also has campuses in other counties in the state. It's part of the Florida College System.

SFC offers more than 90 degrees and certificates and is dedicated to helping first-generation college students succeed through its unique programs and services.

Some of the amenities and learning opportunities offered by the college include a planetarium, an on-campus teaching zoo, a geological (underground cave) field laboratory, and a fine arts hall.

3. Taylor College

Taylor College is a private post-secondary college that offers test prep, continuing education, diploma, and associate's program courses to the students of central Florida.

It just recently moved its location to Ocala, Florida, which is roughly 40 miles away from Gainesville.

In addition to general continuing education courses, Taylor College offers programs in these subjects for healthcare students:

• Medical Assisting
• Professional Nursing
• Physical Therapy Assisting
• Practical Nursing

4. The College of Central Florida's Ocala Campus

The College of Central Florida (CCF) is a public college with campuses in three different counties of Florida, including one in the town of Ocala, Florida. Part of the Florida College System, it's also home to the Appleton Museum of Art and Vintage Farm.

CCF's Ocala campus is the largest campus of the college and offers professional certificates, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees in more than 150 academic subjects.

Services available to students on campus include tutoring, counseling, and talent center services.

5. Florida Gateway College

Originally known as Lake City Community College, Florida Gateway College (FGC) is a public college in Lake City, Florida (just under an hour away from Gainesville, Florida) that's part of the Florida College System.

Designated as a state college, it's able to offer bachelor's programs.

FGC puts its students at the heart of everything it does because it wants to help students achieve their greatest possible potential and improve their futures.

FGC offers everything from single-semester programs to four-year degrees and provides flexible classes with plenty of one-on-one support for students.

Other Colleges Near Gainesville, FL

Jacksonville, Florida is a central hub for many colleges in the state but is a little over an hour away from Gainesville, Florida.

Students able to make the drive can still take advantage of these great universities.

The University of North Florida

The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university accredited by the SACSCOC to award bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees to students in Jacksonville, Florida.

Students at UNF can learn through research with faculty, community-based learning, study-abroad opportunities, and the more than 200 student-led clubs and organizations offered by the university.

UNF has five different colleges for students to choose from.

These are the colleges of health, business, arts and sciences, computing, engineering, construction, and education and human services.

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University is a private university in Jacksonville, Florida that's a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. It serves students in over 40 states and 45 countries, giving it a diverse student population.

Jacksonville University combines historic buildings with modern amenities to provide students with an experience that emphasizes the importance of both the past and the future.

The university offers more than 100 majors and programs, including:

• Business
• Marine Science
• Engineering
• Physics
• Nursing
• Aviation
• Film
• Animation

Edward Waters University

Edward Waters University (EWU) is a historically black private Christian university in Jacksonville, Florida that was originally founded by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

EWU offers a close-knit intellectual community for students and scholars worldwide who want to make a global impact without sacrificing community ties to do so. It has five different robust bachelor's programs in biology, communications, business administration, criminal justice, and psychology.

Trinity Baptist College

Founded by the Trinity Baptist Church, Trinity Baptist College (TBC) is a private independent Baptist college in Jacksonville, Florida that's accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

TBC helps students prepare for ministry while maintaining a close relationship with a local church and getting an important general education foundation through their degree program.

The college offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's programs in subjects like criminal justice, education, business administration, and worship arts.

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a public college in Jacksonville, Florida, that's considered a state college in the Florida College System, meaning it offers four-year bachelor's degrees despite being a community college.

FSCJ has more than 100 certificates, 45 associate's degrees, and 13 bachelor's programs for students, with traditional, hybrid, and online classes that are flexible and help busy working adults meet their life and educational needs at the same time.

What Is the Biggest School Near Gainesville, Florida?

The University of Florida is the biggest college near Gainesville, Florida.

It's the third-largest university in Florida by student enrollment, with nearly 60,000 students attending in the 2021 academic year.

How To Choose the Right College Near Gainesville, Florida

Things you should consider when trying to choose the best college for you in Gainesville, Florida include:

• Accreditation
• Tuition cost
• Financial aid opportunities
• Extracurricular/club options
• Community outreach
• Available housing
• Work/career opportunities

These factors help you determine the availability and affordability of quality education, what living in the area would be like, and what opportunities you can pursue during and after your degree program.

Paying for Your Degree Near Gainesville, Florida

Paying for college in Florida is all about getting scholarships, federal grants, work-study opportunities, and loans through the FAFSA.

While merit-based scholarships and grants don't have to be paid back, financial need-based loans do, and work-study positions require constant work to keep.

One example of a Florida-specific scholarship is the Bright Futures Scholarship for recent high school graduates with good academic scores in the state.

Other scholarships can be found alongside specialized grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through the FAFSA.

Start Your Degree Near Gainesville, Florida Today

Now that you've learned about the best colleges near Gainesville, Florida, the ways you can narrow down your choices, and how to pay for college once you've enrolled, it's time to start your education at Gainesville today so you can use your degree for a great career tomorrow.